Trump’s approval rating has fallen to the low-to-mid 30s in recent national polls amid the protracted U.S. conflict with Iran that began in early 2026, with gasoline prices rising sharply after disruptions to global oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz. Polling aggregates place his job approval near 37-39 percent as of mid-to-late August, dragged lower by sustained public concern over inflation, cost-of-living pressures, and the open-ended nature of military involvement—80 percent of respondents in one August survey expected the engagement to continue for an extended period. Economic handling registers the weakest subcategory ratings, while the approach of November midterms adds scrutiny on whether these trends will intensify or stabilize before year-end.